Posts Tagged ‘Fr. James Martin’

This coming Saturday, June 1, the New York Catholic Bible School, which is sponsored by the Archdiocesan Catechetical Office, will hold a graduation ceremony at the Church of St. Margaret of Antioch in Pearl River, N.Y. Thirty men and woman will each receive a Certificate of Basic Bible Study. This means that they have completed a two-year course of study in Sacred Scripture. I am happy to report that most, if not all, are going on to complete the entire four-year cycle, during which they will read, pray on, and reflect on every book of the Bible. Hopefully, they will go back to their parishes to encourage and perhaps lead Bible study group themselves.

As you can imagine, preparing for class and meeting every week, usually at the end of a work day, requires a great deal of dedication. People from every walk of life and educational background are enrolled What is it about Sacred Scripture that brings these men and women back week after week, year after year? They have found the Word of God and they are finding themselves, too.

Perhaps you might be interested in studying the Bible, learning how to read it, reflect on it, and pray on it. Here’s a suggestion. Spend a day with the Bible.

On Saturday, June 22, the Archdiocesan Catechetical Office and the American Bible Society will sponsor their fourth annual New York Catholic Bible Summit at Cathedral High School in the New York Catholic Center, 350 East 56th Street, Manhattan. This year’s theme, very appropriate for the Year of Faith, is “Preach the Gospel to the Whole of Creation.”

As always, the day will begin with the Sacred Liturgy in the Church of St. John the Evangelist, also in the Catholic Center on the 55th Street side. Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan will be the principal celebrant.

There will be two complete tracks in English and Spanish. Rev. James Martin, SJ, author and editor-at-large for America Magazine, will give the English keynote. Father Martin’s new e-book, Together on Retreat — Meeting Jesus in Prayer, will help you to pray with Scripture. The Spanish language keynoter is Jesús Rubén Cardinal Salazar Gómez, Archbishop of Bogota, Colombia, and vice president of the Latin-American Conference of Catholic Bishops. Check here for a full listing of our presenters, along with details on registration. Don’t wait until the last minute to register, however.

A day with the Bible. Who knows? Your next step might be the New York Catholic Bible School.

Last Thursday, I prepared an entry for this blog. It was a happy one, all about the amazing and often amusing Christmas pageants I have seen. But after the terrible events of last Friday morning, I knew I could not use it. My heart wasn’t in it.

Many people are asking, “Why, God? Why did you let these dear little children and their teachers die? Why didn’t you fix the mind of that shooter? Why didn’t you intervene and stop him? You could have, God, you could have. You have the power.”

Well, I don’t know the answer. Yes, on an intellectual level, I can say that it is a profound mystery. But that is a pretty hollow explanation. It won’t make anyone feel any less heartbroken, any less angry, any less frustrated and helpless at the sight of such suffering. It won’t mend the hearts of the families and friends left to live out their lives without those they loved so much and who loved them.

What I can do is refer you to a “Prayer for Newtown” that Father Jim Martin, SJ, of America published on the magazine’s blog, “In All Things.” I have looked at it many times since last Friday. I hope it helps a little.

Father Martin has just published another article, one that all people who describe themselves pro-life should read and act on. The title speaks for itself, “Gun Control is a Pro-Life Issue.” This article won’t make you comfortable. It’s not meant to.

Don’t know about you but I think New Year’s resolutions are a waste of time. Most of them don’t survive New Year’s Day.

Our friend, Father Jim Martin, S.J., culture editor of America and chaplain to Colbert, has a much brighter idea. Not only does it have a stronger chance of succeeding, but it will make us all better, happier Christians, too.Here it is.

Our good friend, Father Jim Martin, SJ, author of The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything and My Life with the Saints, has just posted on his America blog, “In All Things,” a chance to experience a 30-day online retreat, based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. It is sponsored by the Jesuit Refugee Service USA.

This is a wonderful opportunity to discover or re-discover Ignatian Spirituality at a time that’s best for you.